Subj: Grammar Story -- 13
Date: 7/12/00 7:35:00 PM Central Daylight Time
From: Beverly LaCroix

Time seemed to stand still as Laura and Jeremiah looked at one another, and it was as if they were the only two people on earth. Laura broke the spell when said, "I beg your pardon?" I haven't had the pleasure."

Quentin didn't miss the panicked look that flitted across Laura's face when the stranger called her name.

"Jeremiah Collins," Jeremiah said to Laura.

"Let's go back to Collinwood and try and sort all of this out," Edward said taking Laura by the arm.

"I'll stay with you, if you don't mind." Quentin said sarcastically, with his hand on his pistol.

Jeremiah didn't move, he was remembering the scene at the graveyard with Angelique earlier. None of this is real he said to himself.

"Are you coming or not?" Quentin said angrily.

Jeremiah did not move and he did not say a word to Quentin. He heard footsteps, and moved his head to see who was coming now.

"Ah, Cousin Barnabas. Maybe you would like to say hello to your Uncle Jeremiah." Quentin said to the approaching figure.

"What are you talking about, Quentin?" Barnabas said approaching Quentin.

"See for yourself, Cousin." Quentin said.

"Jeremiah!" Barnabas said, almost dumbfounded.

"Why, Barnabas, you don't seem pleased to see your uncle, of course, it's not really him." Quentin spat at the unmoving figure of Jeremiah.

"Barnabas." Jeremiah whispered.

"Quentin, this is a trick of some kind. It must be Petofi or even Angelique." Barnabas said.

"Barnabas, you really need to keep your wife in line." Quentin said.

"She's not my wife, she's your fiancé or have you forgotten." Barnabas snapped back.

This is not real, Jeremiah thought.

"Where did he go?" Barnabas and Quentin said simultaneously as they watched the figure of Jeremiah Collins disappear.